Protector



March 29, 1927. ,6 ,639

E. J. GILBERT PROTECTOR Filed Dec. 50. 1925 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

EIJLA'J'; GILBERT, OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

PROTECTOR.

Application filed December My invention is directed. to protectors forthe shoev andrankleand has for one of its objects the provision of avprotector'which willovercome in a simple manner the objectionstov thevarious. Spats, leggins and. other ankle andv shoe protectors nowoffered. for sale.

Another: object of. my invention is the provision of a protectorpreferably made of waterproof material such as rubberized fabric forexample, whioln while afiording the necessary and desired protectionwhen in use, yet at the same time is capable of being folded or rolledinto a very small and compact package suitable for carrying in a ladyspocketbook, handbag, etc.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a protector which ismade in one piece and which may be worn on either foot. This provides anarticle which is not only much more convenient than those types ofcoverings which are right and left hand, but materially reduces the costof manufacture so as to enable the same to be sold at the minimum costto the consumer.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a protectorwhich is free of fasteners of any kind, such as hooks, buckles, buttons,etc., and which is free of straps and stirrups, etc., thereby providinga protector which may be slipped on in an instant and as easily removed.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of aprotector which is so cut and shaped as to provide a device which willhug the shoe and ankle and hence present a neat appearance.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated an embodiment ofmy invention,

F1 ig. l is an elevational ew of the same; anc

Fig. 2 shows the protector in course of manufacture.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a strip of thin,flexible and preferably waterproof material, such as a rubberized fabricfor example, comprising an upper or ankle protecting portion 2 andstraight lower relatively long edge portions 3 and 4, which I willdesignate as instep portions. The instep portions 3 and 4 are providedby cutting a V-shaped piece out of the center of the bottom edge of the30,- 1925:. Serial No. 78,271.

fabric. as indicated. at 5, andl by biascuts 8 and. 9v along. theloweredge of the fabric. Bias. cuts-10 and 11 along, theside edges. of

the fabric intersecting the cuts8 and 9-pro.

vide,.in conjunction with the. latter the ,ortion.12. which. coverstheavamp of the $106, as will be pointed out hereinaften.

The. strip 1. after being shaped. as. above described is then tuckedasindicated; at. '1 if desired, folded over upon .itself; and stitched.or otherwise joined. alongthe front thereof, as indicated at 13, alongthe bias cuts 10 and 11 and along the instep portions 3 and 4. Thisprovides a tubular member adapted to be slipped over the shoe and ankle,open at the top, and provided with an opening for the toe of the shoe orslipper, and another for receiving the heel of the shoe, the instepportion formed by joining the portions 3 and 4 providing means lyingbeneath the arch of the foot for limiting upward movement of theprotector.

This instep Which I will designate 14 is relatively long and straight,and by reason of this fact, taken in conjunction with the bias cuts 8and 9, and the bias cuts 10 and 11, causes the protector to draw snuglyabout the shoe or slipper so as to prevent the entry of moisture beneaththe lower edges of the protector.

It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided a garment of the classdescribed which is particularly adapted for emergency use, in that thesame is all in one piece, is free of buckles, hooks, buttons or otherfasteners and constructed of a material which Will permit of its beingfolded or rolled into a very small, compact package so that it may becarried readily in a ladys bag, for examale. 1 It will be seenfurthermore that by shaping the strip 1 the garment is made so as to fiteither foot and by stitching the protector along the lower edge portions3 and 4, straps and the like are eliminated, a relatively long integralinstep portion being provided thereby to cause the protector to drawabout and snugly fit the shoe not only over the arch but over the toeand about the rear portion of the shoe as well.

I have mentioned waterproof material as being suitable for use in thepresent device,

but it is to be understood that other ma terial may be used if desired;waterproof material being preferable when the protector is intended foruse primarily as a protector against moisture. Obviously it intended forwarmth, other material could be substituted, the primary desideratabeing that flexible and light weight material be employed so as toenable the protector to be folded or rolled or gathered into a smallcompact package capable of being carried in a ladys handbag or even in apocketbook Without difliculty.

It will be seen also that the protector may be worn with equal facilityon either foot, the edges of the protector fitting snugly about theshoe'in all cases.

Vhile I have described my improved garment as composed of a strip ofmaterial, the edges of which are brought together and attached to eachother, it is to be understood 1 that it falls within the scope of theinvention to knit the same if desired.

Having thus described my invention,

what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis A garment of the class described, comprising a tubular one-piecemember composed of flexible waterproof material having the opposedportions of its lower end joined to each other to provide a straightintegral instep receiving portion, the material of the garment at eachend of the instep-receiving portion being cut slightly on the bias toprovide toe and heel receiving portions the sides of which aresubstantially straight and cooperate with the instepreceiving portion todraw the garment snugly about the arch of the foot and edges length.

This specification signed this 28th day of December, 1925. I

ELLA J. GILBERT.

of the toe and heel receiving openings into engagement with the shoethroughout their

